News

2013-10-31 21:23:24.363

A+ Student Wins $20,000 Lottery Prize

Joshua Bowlin loves his hometown sports teams, and that dedication led to a $20,000 Missouri Lottery payday. Bowlin, of Ballwin, bought three “St. Louis Blues” Scratchers tickets at U-Gas, 14807 Manchester Road in Ballwin, because they corresponded with his lucky number. When he uncovered the $20,000 top prize, it was the icing on the cake.

“I’m just a huge Blues fan,” began Bowlin. “At the gas station, they had all the tickets and the number that each ticket was at. My lucky number is 20, so I got the Blues tickets from there. And then I won $20,000, so it’s kind of weird. Great day.”

Bowlin already gives the Lottery some credit for his college training. As an A+ Scholarship recipient, Bowlin completed two years at St. Louis Community College before moving on to Southeast Missouri State in Cape Girardeau this fall. Lottery proceeds help fund the A+ Scholarship program, which pays for two years of education at state institutions for students who complete a service program in high school. Bowlin is enrolled in a sports management program and explained that this prize will help pay for his third year of college.

“I’m a junior in college, so I got two years free from the A+ Scholarship program, which comes from Lottery scratch offs,” he stated. “And then I won this, so that’s paying for my third year. I plan to pay off the last semester and this semester of student loans, and then maybe buy myself something nice.”

Bowlin claimed the prize when he returned to St. Louis for the Monday Night Rams game.

“I left it at my parent’s house,” he explained. “I didn’t want to take a chance on losing it.”

He added that he didn’t know of the Lottery connection until recently.

“My high school didn’t offer the A+ Scholarship program until my senior year,” he said. “I didn’t even know that the Lottery tickets paid for my education until I saw your commercials.”

The former athlete, studying with the goal of sports management, won money to help pay for school, thanks to one of his favorite teams. He’s a fan of the Lottery now, too.

“St. Louis Blues” is a $2 ticket that officially began Sept. 30. In addition to winning cash prizes up to $20,000 instantly, players can enter non-winning “St. Louis Blues” Scratchers tickets into their My Lottery® account to earn Points For Prizes® and entry into the “You Scratch, You Score!” second-chance promotion. In three drawings this winter, fans can win prizes such as St. Louis Blues season tickets, an away game trip, party suites and merchandise.